# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_March 5 1982_S6
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Commission ratified this reply but then also decided to send Pastor Harold Reiss the additional
communication:
There is nothing in the Constitution of the Synod that states that property purchased and/or
developed by a District for a mission/outreach ministry must be turned over to the same when it
is received as a member congregation of the Synod. The District, if it so desires, could choose to
retain title and rent the facilities to the congregation. This could be a live option especially in
those situations which are not static but quite fluid as far as memberships in the congregations are
concerned.
31. Ohio District Bylaws (Ag. 236, A): After Carl Eberhard had reported on the situation, the
Commission resolved to urge the Ohio District to appoint a committee to review and revise the outdated
bylaws of the District and bring them into conformity with the synodical bylaws. Examples of
anachronisms are:
The bylaws still deal with the election of delegates to the conventions of the Lutheran Synodical
Conference;
They still call for the appointment of a nominating committee rather than election;
They are outdated with respect to the election of Circuit Counselors;
They still speak of nominees for the Board of Control of the Senior College in Fort Wayne.
32. Counselors for New Circuits (Ag. 1565): President Henry Simon had asked what is to be done for the
nomination of Circuit Counselors in Circuits which are realigned, with changes being made perhaps even
at the convention itself. The Commission ratified the following response forwarded by the Secretary:
1. In some Circuits that are directly involved in the realignment process it might be well to have
the congregation vote on the basis of both the present Circuit membership and the proposed
Circuit membership. In each ballot they may submit the same names for Circuit Counselor,
but it is possible that there might be some change. The Nominating Committee could then
make the alternate tabulation.
2. As a fall-back, since it is really the convention which is electing, the convention itself could
alter any slates, also those that might be blank as a result of convention action, revising
radically the committee's proposals. Beyond that, if the convention should adjourn under
pressure of time without providing a Circuit Counselor for each Circuit, it would always be
the prerogative of the District President to fill a vacancy by appointment.
33. Terms of Commission on Organizations (Ag. 1567): The Commission ratified the reply which the
Secretary had sent to Phil Lochhaas who had inquired about the eligibility of members of the commission
for reappointment. It seems that all are eligible January 1, 1984, except Ralph Batt.
34. Model Constitutions of Congregations (Ag. 1446): This item will be held on the docket for the next
meeting.
35. The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer in unison.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary